The Web Is Littered With Entitled Writers
“I write, therefore I should make a full-time income”
Chances are you read a case study about someone making 5-figures each month writing content. You then look at the writer’s content and say to yourself, “I can do that. I should get paid that type of money. The content isn’t even that good compared to mine.”
Then, you write. Despite your best efforts to mimic the 5-figure writer you learned about a few days ago, you don’t end up making 5-figures. Then, it’s “over saturation” this and “if I got in earlier” that.
I don’t believe in over-saturation. People in their 20s establish themselves in various roles that have been around for decades or even centuries. No oversaturation there
Oversaturation is code for thinking you had an easy path to success. You realized it was hard work, didn’t want to do it without getting paid right away, and hence, “oversaturation.”
It’s fine to believe that you write great content. Believing you deserve a high income just because you write great content is entitlement.
Full-Time Pay Without Full-Time Work
This is the story of almost every writer. They want full-time pay without putting in a 40-hour workweek. Some writers achieve this goal by scaling their platforms. In fact, it’s the only way to receive full-time pay without working full-time.
Some writers happily share how they work 10–20 hours per week and make close to 6-figures. These writers almost always ride an algorithm to success. Some do freelance work on the side, but most of those earnings and flexibility come from an algorithm.
Most writers, especially those making good money, work more than 10–20 hours per week. Even though they produce an incredible quantity of content, they produce far more than you see.
I have multiple book drafts that are over 20,000 words. They haven’t seen the light of day. Some of those books will never get published. A waste of time? Hardly. Each piece makes me a better writer.
Many people focus on publishing as much content as possible. However, if you post mediocre content, your readers will look elsewhere. While your readers decide the quality of your content, your gut will sometimes know one of your drafts is subpar.
If you do not work at least 40 hours per week and do not make a full-time income as a writer, don’t complain. Fill up your calendar with writing and marketing-related activities to grow your revenue.
This article might not make much money. That’s why I write thousands of words each day for Medium, my blog, books, and freelance clients. Writing more content makes a miss less devastating.
Writing one article per month places heavy pressure on that lone article. Writing daily articles takes away the pressure, but you’d still like to see each piece perform well.
Growing Your Platform
You can only make money as a writer through the following ways:
- Write for companies
- Write for yourself and grow a platform
Growing your platform is the more challenging path. You’ll start with a pay rate of $0 per word. As you grow your platform and sell products, that rate will increase over time.
A platform allows you to reach exorbitant rates such as $1 per word. However, it takes a long time to reach that level. Spoiler alert: writing alone does not get you there.
Growing your platform is code for increasing your email list. The more you grow your list and engage with your subscribers, the more your platform will grow.
Every asset your build for your brand must direct people to your email list. Use social media to promote your opt-in and attract new subscribers to your list.
Flodesk is a helpful resource for growing your email list. The software lets you create opt-in pages, sequences, and other essential components. I used to use ConvertKit, but Flodesk doesn’t punish growing businesses with higher costs. Regardless of which resource you utilize, you must prioritize email list growth.
The more you grow your platform, the less you have to write. The scale of platform growth will increase your revenue even if you don’t work harder. Scale is how some people make full-time incomes on 10–20 hours per week. Most people don’t realize that it takes many 40–60 hour weeks to reach 10–20 hours per week.
Get this ingrained in your mind: If you want to make it as a writer, you must work full-time hours. Not necessarily 9-to-5 because you can split your work throughout the day. The more you work, the more your business grows.
If you’re writing as a side hustle, it will take longer, but that is okay. You are still making a salary and can afford a slower path. If you can’t afford a slower route, review your expenses for a week and see what you can cut out.
Spending too much time reviewing expenses results in penny-pinching and desperately looking to save an extra $5. That won’t help with growth, but a single week of reviewing expenses will expose excess costs.
Sell Stuff
Full-time writers with platforms are sellers. They sell books, courses, services, affiliate products, and various offers. Selling products and services gives you numerous income streams.
Some writers fear selling. You have to get over that fear to maximize your earning potential. Here’s a simple thought exercise that will help:
When you write, you sell. Right now, I’m selling the idea that most writers don’t put in enough work. They complain about how hard it is to become a full-time writer without putting in full-time hours.
If you want to break three hours in the marathon, but you’re only running a mile a day, then it’s not going to happen. Adding more mileage and incorporating heightened intensity on some of your runs will get you closer to that goal.
If I convinced you that you need to…
Put in more hours
Make a conscious choice to grow your platform
Get freelance writing work along the way
…I’ve successfully sold the concepts in this article. Selling is selling regardless of its form. Some of us sell products and services, but we all sell ideas and opinions.
If you’re afraid of selling, you’re afraid of the idea. You don’t believe in the product or service. Either reaffirm your beliefs or find something else to sell. Selling only works if you believe in the idea.
I have incredible respect for people who work diligently on their platforms, even when the results are negligible. It’s easy to give up during the early stages of your journey.
It’s okay to walk away, but don’t talk about over-saturation or how it’s too hard to become a full-time writer. Plenty of people become full-time writers. Career building isn’t easy. Find me an easy job that can pay 6-figures for 10–20 hours of work per week. I’d love to know about it. Becoming a full-time writer is hard. It takes considerable time, but it’s also gratifying once you reach the finish line.